The National Assembly on Friday adopted the Cantonments (Amendment) Bill 2015 unanimously as passed by the Senate.
Minister for Climate Change Zahid Hamid moved the bill in the House on behalf of Minister of Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
According to the statement of objects and reasons on the bill, election in the Cantonments were last held in November 1998 and members from the various wards were elected for a term of four years. After suspension of Senate, National and Provincial Assemblies in October 1999, federal government approved the recommendations of changing the constitution of 29 Cantonment Boards elected in 1998 under Section 14 (1) (b) of the Cantonment Act 1924. Similarly, the constitution of Lahore and Walton Cantonment Boards was also changed by the federal government while bifurcating the Lahore Cantonment into two i.e., Lahore and Walton Cantonments with effect from 10th May, 1998. Constitution of 31 cantonment boards was extended by the chief executive/prime minister from time to time.
Out of the remaining 12 cantonment boards, 11 have administrators under Section 3 (3) of the Cantonment Act 1924, whereas in Pano Aqil, the federal government has constituted a Board comprising cantonment board president and three nominated members.
Under Article 140 A of the Constitution, the power to hold election of the local government in cantonment areas is vested in the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP). In order to bring the local government election within the preview of the ECP, the necessary amendment is being made in the Cantonment Ordinance.
